![](/uploads/1/2/5/8/125834902/615732040.jpg)
Posted by6 months ago
Archived
No running lights with led tail lights I have no running lights on the new led tail lights i have. I have the running lights in the front but nothing else. Does anyone know how to fix this problem it it's very frustrating. I love the way they look but i don't know if i can deal with not having running lights. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Tail Light Switch; Tail Light Switch Problems of BMW 330. I believe this is the same issue/problem on the 2002-2005 BMW e46 3series which a tail light recall was issued. The right rear tail lights do not work and the turn signal blinks and the turn signal sound is twice as fast as normal. I am writing to make your department aware that.
I don't know how much people in here are familiar with the LCMs, PA Soft, etc.
I bought an LCM from a 325CI (one that has the auto feature) just for I can make use of the 3.6 software version to change the PWMs. I know how to use PA Soft to adapt the LCM to my car, so that isn't my problem.
But my problem is as soon as I start the car, the dash lights and headlights come on. And whatever I have the LCM dial set to is ignored. (but the dial works fine if the car is not running.)
So I'm a little confused by this. Is this something in the LCM's programming, or maybe a hardware issue?
I recently did a HID retrofit so I don't want to pre-maturely burn out my bulbs.
Since I haven't posted about the car on here yet. It's a 2000 328CI.
![Led tails not working e46 parts Led tails not working e46 parts](http://www.stuttgartautoservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Tail-Lights-Not-Working-150x150.jpg)
![Led Tails Not Working E46 Led Tails Not Working E46](/uploads/1/2/5/8/125834902/406082617.jpg)
I haven't decided what to do with it yet besides have it as a DD. Windshield needs replaced, rear bumper needs replaced, tail lights need replaced, need to source a correct rear left wheel. The correct driver seat needs sourced (it has a recaro in it). And some other random tidbits. I normally daily a s14 240sx, so this car is luxury compared to the 240sx haha.
5 comments
Posted by5 years ago
Archived
From a more electrical perspective: LEDs have a maximum junction temperature (automotive grade is typically around 150°C). This will not be an issue in environments at or below room temperature, but when used next to an incandescent / halogen bulb or any other heat source it could easy fail even with good cooling as it is enclosed in a hot box with that other bulb! The LED will fail and simply burn out.
This is probably the best reason not to use something non-automotive for an automotive application, as opposed to any of the legal issues below.
To be even more specific, I'm talking about headlight bulbs like these which are direct halogen replacements in standard headlights and notthese which are full-blown assemblies - even good LED headlights may become a legal gray area.
I strongly advise against this. I only know of the exact legalities in the USA and those are as follows:
- It is legal to modify your own car in this way, but strongly recommended against doing so especially headlights as it is a huge safety hazard and could land you in a world full of hurt (major lawsuits and fines).
- Depending on the state, your inspector may notice it and will not pass your car (unlikely).
- If a cop notices (also unlikely), expect to either be warned or pay a very, very heavy fine. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse so 'I didn't know!' will not work for something as serious as headlights, though it may work for brake/tail lights.
- It is extremely illegal to sell non-SAE International and non-automotive approved lights for cars in any way shape or form within the US borders (This applies to all states). This includes, but is not limited to: selling your car with any aftermarket LED headlights in them to anyone, selling any aftermarket LED headlights bulbs within the United States, etc. The only reason they are sold is due to being imported from China and this becomes a grey area very fast. There has been talk and pressure on China to enforce regulations more strictly, but we all know how that may turn out.
Some aftermarket full headlight assemblies made by DEPO are OK, but I am uncertain of the exact legalities thereof.
I also do know it is more strict in Germany and some similar European countries. This strictness is more along the lines of: if it isn't legal or a law, it is illegal and it is illegal to modify your cars exterior lights in any way which is not approved (halogen bulbs can only be replaced with approved halogen bulbs, etc.)
A bit more information about the issues they cause, outside of legality:
- Most of them are horribly bright, well beyond the limit of the specifications for headlight allowance. A lot of HID bulbs (even the OEM ones in modern cars today) emit way too much light, so the designed headlight assembly, lens, and projector lens will reduce the output light by up to 50% to pass specifications! You may get away with placing them in projector headlights, but that's really just a wild idea and not at all factual.
- The beam pattern causes a huge safety risk. For high beams it doesn't matter so much, but there are strict specifications on where how much light can be. This along with being really badly bright will severely blind on-coming drivers, and even pedestrians in broad daylight. Consider yourself fully liable for any accidents which happen on the road, even if you weren't directly involved if anyone finds out. I have yet to see a beam pattern for an LED aftermarket headlight which is passable, at least for low beams.
- The color temperature is usually not very acceptable either for on the road. This is mainly for the aftermarket LED tail light, directional, or stop light bulbs. The non-headlight bulbs are perfectly fine for interior only. The rear bulbs are considered, but are not legally 'OK' to modify to LED bulbs - I do not advocate this view and am personally strictly against doing so as well.
- Lastly, you'll notice that directionals / indicators will flicker faster when the vehicle detects that a bulb is about to die or is dead. Mostly this works with 'sensing' how much current is drawn by the bulb. This is where the claim of 'LED High Efficiency' begins to hurt for halogen replacements. The LEDs will draw too low of a current and cause the directional to blink as if it were a bulb which was out. This may also throw on the CEL (check engine light code) in some cars.
tl;dr Don't put aftermarket LED, or your own DIY headlights or any front-facing lights in your car/motorcycle. If you do just know let it only be purely, and I mean purely an off-road or showroom car. You can end up in a lot of legal trouble and pay some heavy fines if you try to sell your car with the lights in them, along with being a safety hazard (blinding) for other drivers on the road.
To clarify and stress again: headlights are the most legally dangerous things to mod (and dangerous for other drivers), rear lights can be passable but still illegal to sell within the USA (I guess you could say it's only illegal if you get caught, though.)
EDIT: Source: I worked in the automotive lighting field for a while. Also see ECE Regulations for more lighting info, and SAE International for general automotive standard info.
EDIT 2: You can still do this and I'm not telling you that you can't, just that it's my opinion you shouldn't. I just wanted people to know the legal issues and the trouble they may present itself in doing so!
22 comments
![](/uploads/1/2/5/8/125834902/615732040.jpg)